Welcome to Ethoneuro Lab

Ethoneuro lab is situated within the School of Biological Sciences at Nanyang Technological University. 

We are broadly interested in the backwash effects of death on the processes of life. The finite nature of life creates a variety of trade-offs in individuals. We are interested in how these trade-offs reflect in the brain and hormones. We use perturbation models in our approach. These models include manipulation of host behavior by coevolving parasites, the breakdown of learning and memory due to aging, and the effects of predator presence on prey physiology. These diverse approaches are united by our vision of placing the form and function of the neuroendocrine system within a framework of biological evolution. 

At the Ethoneuro group, we take pride in combining a mechanistic view of neuroendocrinology with its mooring in the evolution and ecological conditions. We pursue biology that occurs at the overlaps of three fascinating domains.


We have a healthy disrespect for artificial separation between fundamental and clinical biology. Our work relates to both fundamental understanding of biological processes (e.g., the trade-off between reproduction and defense in the brain or non-consumptive effects of predation) and issues closer to the human condition (e.g., optogenetic modulation of memory in dementia models or sexually transmitted protozoan infections). 

We are looking forward to new colleagues to join our group. This includes project officers, Ph.D. scholars, and postdoctoral scholars. The Ethoneuro group has a collegial and open working environment. Please write to Ajai (ajaivyas@ethoneuro.com)  if you are interested.